Gregory VII and papal power

Pope Gregory VII

Pope from 1073 to 1085 who aimed to increase papal power over secular rulers

Papal sovereignty

The belief that the pope should have authority over the Church and secular rulers

Alliance with the Normans

Gregory supported the Normans in southern Italy to strengthen papal power

Support for Norman Conquest

Gregory backed William of Normandy's invasion of England

Gregory's reforms

Enforced clerical celibacy and tried to eliminate simony

Clerical celibacy

Policy enforcing that clergy must not marry or have sexual relationships to ensure clergy focused fully on God and Church duties

Simony,

Paying money to obtain Church offices or positions

Overlordship claims

Gregory claimed the pope had authority over kings

William I and Philip I

Rulers of England and France who rejected Gregory's authority claims

Role of bishops

Bishops supported secular rulers which limited Gregory's power

Henry IV of Germany

Holy Roman Emperor who came into conflict with Gregory VII

Excommunication of Henry IV 1077

Gregory excommunicated and deposed Henry IV

Henry IV's response

He reasserted power and deposed Gregory in 1080

Capture of Rome 1084

Henry IV marched on Rome and took control

Gregory's exile

Forced to flee Rome due to unpopularity and Henry IV's actions

Death of Gregory VII

Died in exile in 1085

Anti pope Clement III

Rival pope supported by Henry IV ruling in Rome

Long term impact

Gregory's ideas strengthened papal authority in later years

Religious warfare

Gregory argued wars fought for him were in the service of God and promised absolution of sins and salvation

Spain and Muslims

Gregory supported Christian knights fighting Muslims in Spain

Land ownership view

Conquered land should be held from the pope as overlord

Victor III

Successor elected by Gregory's supporters but ruled briefly

Weak papacy after Gregory

Victor III and Urban II struggled to control Rome initially